Ntuli carries hope for KZN representation in top six

MDUMISENI Ntuli, the frontrunner for the ANC secretary-general (SG) position in the upcoming elective conference, appeared to be the only representative from Kwazulu-natal – apart from Dr Zweli Mkhize – to make it onto the ballot for the party’s top six leaders. Former health minister Mkhize is contesting for the position of ANC president.

Ntuli, a former provincial secretary, is campaigning against the wishes of the KZN ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), which endorsed Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Phumulo Masualle, from the Eastern Cape for the position. However,

despite this, Ntuli received the most branch nominations (1 225) for the position of SG while Masualle got 889, according to the list of nominations released this week.

Ntuli was the only KZN leader to have amassed a sizeable number of nominations, with Mkhize coming in with less than half of the nominations received by incumbent president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma also failed to meet the threshold, leaving the presidential race between Mkhize and Ramaphosa. While Ntuli stands a better chance to be elected as SG with Ramaphosa as the president, he refused to be associated with any faction of the ANC.

Political analyst Thabani Khumalo said while Ntuli appeared to be the strongest candidate, he believed that his fate would be decided by Ramaphosa, who seemed to be enjoying much support from the branches.

“The Ramaphosa faction appears to be more powerful on the nomination list, so the key thing would be whether Ramaphosa trusts Ntuli enough for him to serve as SG under his presidency,” said Khumalo.

“Musualle and Fikile Mbalula are also candidates for the position. Ntuli will have to be trusted by Ramaphosa, who appears to be the favourite for a second term.

“The support of your own province is also important; at the last minute of lobbying, provinces consider their interests and prefer someone they trust to represent them. We saw this when Senzo Mchunu lost in 2017 because he did not have the support of his province, KZN,” said Khumalo.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune recently, Ntuli said he was prepared to serve under any leadership.

He entered politics when he was a student at the University of Kwazulu-natal, and has worked at the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, as campaign manager for almost 10 years. He said that experience would come in handy should he be elected.

“Having worked at Luthuli House gave me the sense to understand all branches of the ANC and their challenges. Our organisation is currently facing a range of challenges that need urgent attention before the general election in 2024, so I have a firm belief that one will be able to tap into them although the time will be not enough,” he said.